Chrysler Crown flathead 6

[dkarpeles]

I have a 1955 Richardson with twin 6 cylinder Chrysler crowns. One has been rebuilt and the other looks like it will need it soon. My question is this...the engines have an enclosed keel cooling system and I would like to check the impellers in the water pumps for maintenance sake. <br />1) Is there an impeller in the water pump?<br />2) If I take the cover off the water pump is all the coolant going to spill out all over the place?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

Early model Crowns had gears (oval shaped hsgs.) later models and replacement pumps had impellers (round hsgs,) If the boat is not in the water you should be able to remove the hoses as they simple pump raw water thru the heat exchanger or engine if raw water cooled

 

[dkarpeles]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

Thanks, Laddies. I will take a closer look. It is in the water now. If it is gears is there maintenance to it? Grease fitting maybe? If it is impellers should they be replaced each year?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

Some gear pumps have a zert more have a grease cup and alot of water intakes on the older crusiers have shut off valves for service in the water

 

[Laddies]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

Sorry I missed the impeller part of the quistion, I have seen many boats in this area with 20 year old pumps that have never been apart, probably the type of water the boat is run in would be the largest factor in impeller life

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

Originally posted by Laddies:<br /> ...probably the type of water the boat is run in would be the largest factor in impeller life

Methinks that Chrysler crowns run forever, salt water or otherwise. Isn't that what powered the landing craft?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

most ofd th4e keel cooled rigs had no raw water pumps just a block mounted circulating pump, we ran a 454 chevey for years in a 33' shad boat with a keel cooler.<br />only issue we ever had was occasionally the solder joints would corrode. that and the occasinal damage from skinny water <br />does yours have the old twin updraft carbs ?<br />last one I worked on had those and a mechanical 1-1 clutch. had a terrible time finding a manifold.

 

[dkarpeles]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

Yeah, the only raw water I take in is for the wet exhaust. I've already replaced the impellers for the pumps on both engines...one impeller was destroyed and I am still finding parts up and downstream on that one. <br />Here's the issue...I replaced the original water temp senders (manual) with electric ones because a fly bridge was added to the boat and there were no gauges up there. So I ran the boat the other day and it is fine if I run at low RPMs...but if I get it up to 2000 then the water temp spikes...so it looks like not enough water is circulating for high RPMs...but I'm really not sure why it got so hot. I also have to add coolant to that engine almost every time I go out...not sure if there is a leak or if it just an old engine issue.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

If you gotta add coolant, I would suspect a possible internal leak in the heat exchanger...<br />You need to pressure test your system & listen/look for leaks....<br />Just how much coolant are you losing & how fast?....JK

 

[dkarpeles]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

Good question...I have the expansion tanks in the head and I bet I add 1/8 gallon per outing. I also have to add the the rebuilt engine but not as much. At low RPMs the rebuilt runs about 150 and the port runs at about 170. Oil pressure is good on both. They both start up fine...although the port is a little harder to start when cold.

 

[dkarpeles]

Re: Chrysler Crown flathead 6

OK...I took the boat out this weekend and we cruised for 7 hours at low RPM. After it warmed up it started running hot so I opened to expansion tank and added more coolant. It ran fine the rest of the day. But I noticed there was foam in the coolant. Any ideas? How can you test for leaks on an enclosed system while it is still in the water? This is a keel cooled boat. Thanks.